Paula Lewin's Olympic campaign has received a setback with a freak accident in Spain injuring her twin sister's right hand.

Peta Lewin, a crew member for Paula's Yngling campaign, apparently had her hand crushed at the start of a race in the Princess Sofia Cup last week.

Sources indicate the 32-year-old's hand was on the side of their boat and was smashed in a collision with another vesasel in the pre-start. The injury required emergency surgery.

Peta, who returned home on the weekend, now has her hand in a cast and will reportedly be out of sailing action for a month. It is understood another female sailor is being flown in as cover so Paula and Christine Patton can continue their Olympic build-up in Peta's absence.

The twins' mother Gabrielle Lewin told The Royal Gazette yesterday that Peta was doing “okay” and should be able to resume her sailing duties soon.